Ten Things that Must Happen Before the Rapture

I have heard Christian leaders teach the rapture could happen at any moment including right now. That sounds great, but it overlooks the scriptures telling of other events that must happen first. Until those things happen the rapture cannot happen. Regardless of what our pastor or anyone else says about it, we must rely on the scriptures as the final authority.

God’s Promise To Deliver Us

Just mentioning anything that must happen before the rapture sets off alarms for some people because they have been taught the rapture will deliver them out of here before anything bad happens. So before listing the ten things that must happen before the rapture, I want to acknowledge God’s promises to deliver believers from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10 and Revelation 3:10) and from the hour of testing that is coming.

Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. (Revelation 3:10)

So we can take comfort in knowing God will keep His promises. His wrath will be poured out in the earth, but not on His people. That is really good news! All the unrepentant sinners in the world will mourn when they see the sign of the Son of Man in the sky (Matthew 24:30) because they will know it means they are doomed, but believers will not be here to mourn with them. God’s people will be rescued in the rapture.

As awesome as these promises are they do not mean God’s people will not endure any trouble in the world because there is a difference between the wrath of God and the wrath of man. God has promised to deliver us from His wrath, but has not promised to deliver us from man’s wrath. In fact, He promised the world would hate us, persecute us, and even kill us. Jesus said we would “be hated by all because of His name” (Mark 13:13) and “they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another (Matthew 24:9-10).

We don’t have to look into the future to find examples of the wrath of man because it has been operating in the earth ever since the days of Cain and Able. Millions of Christians around the world have endured great persecution and have even been killed for their faith. American Christians have so far not had to endure much persecution, but Christians in other parts of the world have suffered horrible things and continue to endure these things today. Just consider what believers today are enduring in places like Iraq, Syria, and China.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “all who desire to live godly in Messiah Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). Therefore, we cannot just toss out scriptures warning us about bad things coming in the last days. We cannot just look for the rapture to deliver us from all trouble. Not only would that be contrary to scripture, but it could also destroy our faith when bad things happen and we find ourselves still here. When that day comes, we will need strong faith to carry us through any trouble that comes our way. We will need faith that endures to the end. That kind of faith only comes from an accurate understanding of the scriptures.

So now we can move on. Here are ten things that must happen before the rapture.

1. The First Six Seals Must Be Broken

A great way to locate the timing of the rapture is by studying the breaking of the first six seals in Revelation 6. The Apostle John saw great trouble released by the breaking of each of the first five seals. Jesus saw the same events occurring in the same sequence (Matthew 24). Both John and Jesus saw a time of trouble coming in the last days that would include wars, famines, earthquakes, and the rise of false messiahs (Matthew 24:4-19).

Both John and Jesus saw the rise of the antichrist during this time of trouble. Since there is only one antichrist, we can conclude they both saw the same events during the same time period.

John saw a rider on a white horse receives a crown after the first seal is broken. The white horse is a symbol of conquest, but also represents a counterfeit of the Messiah who promised to return riding on a white horse. This false Messiah is the antichrist. After receiving his first crown he begins using his crown to gain more crowns (Revelation 6:1-2). This marks the beginning of his rise to power and the beginning of the season of birth pangs.

Jesus saw the antichrist entering the temple and standing in the holy place, which is what the prophet Daniel called the abomination that brings desolation (Matthew 24:15). This arrogant action marks the beginning of the end for the antichrist. The cup of the wrath of God is full and about to be poured out.

Both John and Jesus saw another event that only happens one time in all of history. They describe it with so many details they must have seen the same thing. Here is what John saw released after the sixth seal is broken (Revelation 6:12-17):

There was a great earthquake.

The sun became black.

The moon became like blood.

The stars of the sky fell to the earth like a fig tree shaken by the wind.

The sky is split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up.

Every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

The people of the earth hid themselves and sought to die because they were dreading the coming wrath of God.

Now compare that to what Jesus saw happening immediately after the tribulation, after the birth pangs (Matthew 24:29-30):

The sun will be darkened.

The moon will not give its light.

The stars will fall from the sky.

The powers of the heavens will be shaken.

The sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky.

All the people of the earth will mourn after seeing the sign of the Son of Man in the sky.

Both passages describe the same events in which the sun is darkened and turned black, the moon becomes like blood so that it does not give its light, the stars of the sky fall to the earth, the powers of the heavens are shaken as the sky is split apart and the sign of the Son of Man appears in the sky, and the people of the earth mourn and hide themselves because they dread the coming wrath of God. While the earth has endured earthquakes, solar eclipses, blood moons, and small meteorites in the past, there has never been anything like what is described in these two passages with all of these things happening at the same time, plus the sky being rolled up like a scroll, plus the heavens shaken, plus the sign of the Son of Man appearing in the sky, plus the people of the earth mourning. Actually, the sky being split apart like a scroll sounds like the prelude to the sign of the Son of Man appearing in the sky. Surely it would be a sign of something very big happening in heaven. Since nothing like this has ever happened before, and since the same things happen in both passages, we can conclude both John and Jesus are referring to the same events.

The only significant difference between the two passages is John saw a great earthquake and Jesus did not mention that. Perhaps Jesus did not need to mention that because he already told us the stars of the sky will fall to the earth and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Scientists have proven that movements of the sun and moon not only cause huge oceans to rise at high tide and fall at low tide, but also cause changes in pressure on the earth, which causes earthquakes. It is like squeezing a tennis ball and forcing it to change shape. So when stars fall to the earth and the heavens are shaken, the changes in the gravitational pull caused by these forces would surely be enough to cause major earthquakes. In addition, the impact of stars falling and hitting the earth would also be likely to cause earthquakes, even causing mountains and islands to be moved out of their places.

Isaiah (Isaiah 13:6-13) and Joel (2:1-10) provide further support to the testimonies of Jesus and John because they also saw a time coming when the sun and moon will be darkened, the stars will fail to give their light, the earth will quake, the inhabitants of the earth will mourn, and the heavens will be shaken. Isaiah and Joel also identified these events would happen just prior to the wrath of God being poured out on the day of the Lord.

So now we can draw some conclusions regarding the timing of the rapture. Since the events released by the breaking of the first five seals match the events listed by Jesus in Matthew 24:4-14 and the events released by the breaking of the sixth seal matches the events listed by Jesus in Matthew 24:29-31, we can now locate the timing of the rapture because in both passages it is the very next thing that happens (Matthew 24:29-31 and Revelation 7:9-17). Here is what Jesus said:

“But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31)

John’s testimony reveals the same timing of the rapture. Right after the sixth seal is broken John saw a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues standing before the throne of God (Revelation 7:9). Then the elder explained to him these people came out of the great tribulation where they had endured hunger, thirst, exposure to the elements, and tears. He assures John they will not have to endure those things any more.

And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:14-17)

The things suffered by these people, including hunger, thirst, exposure to heat, and tears, are in line with what would be expected for believers during the great tribulation period because the antichrist system will prevent anyone from buying or selling unless they have taken the mark of the beast (Revelation 13:17) and because there will be wars, which are known to cause famines. We also know the antichrist will be “wearing out the saints” (Daniel 7:25).

The only way these people could have come out of the great tribulation is if they were already in it because it is impossible to come out of something unless you are in it. So these people will still be on earth for a brief time after the great tribulation begins. As we already established above with a direct quote from Jesus, the great tribulation begins with the breaking of the sixth seal and the rapture comes immediately after that. Since believers are still on earth when the great tribulation begins we can conclude they will still be on the earth during the tribulation period because the tribulation precedes the great tribulation. This conclusion is consistent with the accounts from both Jesus and John.

We are not told how this multitude got to heaven. Since there are so many of them and all of them came out during the same time, it appears something happened suddenly to bring them to heaven. There are two possible explanations for how they got to heaven so suddenly with all of them leaving the earth during the same brief window of time. Either they were all martyred by the antichrist or they were delivered in the rapture. We are told many believers will be martyred during the tribulation (Matthew 24:9 and Revelation 6:9-11). However, these people had all survived the tribulation because that is the only way they could have entered into the great tribulation, which they suddenly came out from. Besides that the elder told John the things they endured, but there is no mention that any of them endured martyrdom. To acknowledge those who endured hunger, thirst, heat, and tears, but fail to acknowledge those who endured the greatest of all sacrifices, which is laying down their lives, would be disrespectful to anyone who was martyred. Therefore, my conclusion is these people were not martyrs. They are the ones who are rescued in the rapture.

As we already established above, God has promised to deliver His people from the wrath to come, but the wrath does not come until after the seventh seal is broken. God’s people are caught up to meet the Lord in the air after the sixth seal is broken. It is not a mistake that Revelation 7 was inserted between the breaking of the sixth and seventh seals because that is when the rapture happens. Jesus said it plainly and John’s testimony agrees. Immediately after seeing this great multitude, John continues with the breaking of the seventh seal in Revelation 8. Then the wrath of God begins to be poured out.

Jesus made a distinction between the tribulation and the great tribulation, which is important to understand because there are many differences between these two periods. Jesus said the great tribulation begins after the abomination of desolation.

For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. (Matthew 24:21-22)

In conclusion, the first six seals must be broken before the rapture happens. Since Jesus called this the tribulation, we can conclude the tribulation period is completed before the rapture.

2. The Third Temple Must Be Rebuilt

Currently, there is no Jewish temple in Jerusalem. The scriptures tell us the temple will be rebuilt during the time when the Lord will pour out His wrath on His enemies.

A voice of uproar from the city, a voice from the temple, the voice of the Lord who is rendering recompense to His enemies. (Isaiah 66:6)

Since we have already established that the man of lawlessness takes his seat in the temple before the rapture comes, we can conclude the temple must be re-built before the midpoint of the seven year period because that is when the antichrist takes his seat in the temple. The temple must be completed even before then because by the middle of the seven years it is already being used for regular daily offerings and sacrifices. We know that because the antichrist puts a stop to those things in the middle of the seven year period (Daniel 9:27). So during the first three and a half years the Jewish people honor God in the temple, but everything changes after the antichrist takes his seat in the temple. When that happens the temple is thrown down (Daniel 8:11). The daily sacrifices and offerings will be given to the antichrist instead of the Lord (Daniel 8:12). The host of people who serve in the temple and the holy place will be trampled for 2,300 evenings and mornings. (Daniel 8:13-14) That is counting the number of daily sacrifices that would be missed. Since there are two each day that would be 1150 days, which is 3 years, 2 months, and 10 days. Since the sacrifices are stopped in the middle of the tribulation it will take almost the entire second half of the seven-year period before they are restored.

In the long history of Israel, there have been only two temples in Jerusalem and both were eventually torn down. The Romans destroyed the second temple in 70 AD. After that the people of Israel were scattered throughout the earth and to this day the temple has never been rebuilt.The Muslims built the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the very same spot where the temple must be built. Muslims consider this site to be the second most holy place in the world, after Mecca, which is in Saudi Arabia. Any attempt by Israel to destroy these buildings would provoke a war with all of the nations surrounding Israel. Israel does not want war so the temple construction plans are on hold. However, a Temple Institute was founded in 1987 in Jerusalem to promote interest in rebuilding it and to develop design plans.

The temple situation provides insight into how close we are to the tribulation period. For those of you who have already bought your rapture beanie caps with the little spinner on top, you can put them away until the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque are destroyed and construction of the Jewish temple begins. We still have some time to go.

I have heard people try to make the case that the future temple is only figurative, not literal. They say it is only symbolic language that does not require a third temple to be built. However, the scriptures describe five future events, which could not be fulfilled unless the temple is rebuilt in Jerusalem. All of these events occur during the reign of the antichrist. The scriptures describing these events are so specific and detailed there is no way they could be fulfilled without the temple being rebuilt.

In the middle of the seven-year tribulation period the antichrist will violate his own covenant with Israel when he orders all sacrifices and grain offerings must be stopped (Daniel 8:11 and 9:27). This lets us know sacrifices and grain offerings, which have not been practiced for the past 2,000 years, will begin again. The Jews have not practiced these things because they have not had a temple. Yet, Daniel saw they would restore these practices at the time of the end, which means a new temple must be built. It sounds absurd to suggest that after having waited for 2,000 years to resume these practices they will suddenly change their mind and resume these practices without a temple.

During the reign of the antichrist the holy place will be thrown down (Daniel 8:11). The people of the prince who is to come (the people of the antichrist) will ruin the city of Jerusalem and the holy place (Daniel 9:26). The holy place is located in the temple. How can the holy place be ruined and thrown down unless there is a temple? The host of people who serve in the temple and the holy place will be trampled for 2,300 evenings and mornings (Daniel 8:13-14). 2,300 is the number of daily sacrifices that would be missed. Since there are two each day that would be 1150 days, which is 3 years, 2 months, and 10 days. Since the sacrifices are stopped in the middle of the tribulation it will take almost the entire second half of the seven-year period before they are restored. How could there be a host of people serving in the temple if there is no temple? How could the temple be thrown down, ruined, and trampled on by the people of the antichrist for 2,300 evenings and mornings if there was no temple?

The antichrist will take his seat in the temple in Jerusalem (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4) where he will display himself as God. How can he take his seat in the temple if there is no temple?

Instead of offering sacrifices to the Lord, on account of transgression the regular sacrifice will be given over to the antichrist. (Daniel 8:12) Sacrifices will stop being made to the Lord and will start being made to the antichrist. Again these sacrifices are offered in the temple, so these events cannot be fulfilled without a temple.

The Apostle John also saw the temple in Jerusalem in his vision of the tribulation. He was instructed to measure the temple and the altar and those who worship in it (Revelation 11:1). John is told not to measure the outer court of the temple because it will be given to the nations and they will tread under foot the city of Jerusalem for 42 months (Revelation 11:2). How could John see the temple and measure it if it did not exist? How could people worship in the temple if there is no temple? Why would he be told not to measure the outer court of the temple if there was no temple?

These scriptures clearly refer to a real, literal temple, not a figurative or symbolic one. Since we know these specific events could only happen in a temple, we can conclude a new temple must be built.

3. The Beast Kingdom Must Be Established
No previous kingdom has ever ruled over the whole earth, but according to the scriptures it must happen before the rapture. This end-time kingdom was shown to the prophet Daniel in the form of a beast with ten horns. He saw a terrifying beast devouring the whole earth, treading it down, and crushing it. The angel Gabriel then explained to Daniel the ten horns are ten kings who will arise within this kingdom. The beast kingdom will divide the whole earth into ten regions with a king ruling over each region. After those ten kings are established, another king will arise and will subdue three of the ten kings. That one is the son of perdition, also called the antichrist (Daniel 7:23-27).

Today, we do not yet see this beast kingdom ruling on the earth, but we will be able to recognize it when it comes because it will be ruled by the spirit of antichrist and will divide the whole earth into ten regions.

The Apostle Paul tells us the sequence of events with the rapture happening after the son of perdition (also translated as son of destruction) enters the temple in Jerusalem to take his seat, which means to establish his throne there (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4). The son of perdition does not commit this abomination until after he has risen to power in the beast kingdom and reigned for 42 months, which is three and a half years, which is the middle of the final seven-year period (Daniel 7:25 and 9:27, Revelation 11:2).

So the beast kingdom must be established first so the son of perdition can replace three of the ten kings, rule for 42 months, and attempt to establish his throne in the temple in Jerusalem, which is the event that reveals the identity of the antichrist (see point 7 below). Then the rapture can happen (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4).

4. The Antichrist Must Make a Seven-Year Covenant

A seven-year covenant must be signed between the antichrist and the many. This treaty is sometimes referred to as a peace treaty, which might be part of it, but I have yet to find any scriptures calling it a peace treaty. We know “the many” will include Israel because the antichrist later violates the covenant by ordering the Jews to stop performing sacrifices and making offerings in the temple in Jerusalem (Daniel 9:27). Daniel identifies this covenant marks the beginning of the final seven-year period, although those days will be cut short for the sake of the elect (Matthew 24:22).

The antichrist violates the covenant in the middle of the week, which is three and a half years into his reign as ruler of the world. This is also when the antichrist takes his seat in the temple and commits the act that Jesus calls the abomination of desolation. Since we have already established that believers are still on earth at that time, and since the covenant is established three and a half years prior to that, then we can conclude believers are still on earth when the covenant is established. The seven-year covenant is made before the rapture.

5. The Power of the Saints Must Be Shattered

The rapture cannot come until the power of the saints is shattered first.

And one said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?” I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed. (Daniel 12:6-7)

The angel told Daniel the events of the end will be completed when the antichrist has finished shattering the power of the holy people. There is no way the church can be removed from the earth in the rapture before the antichrist shatters their power because it is his shattering of their power that brings the tribulation to a conclusion. For three and a half years he will wage war with the people of God. The people of God will be given into his hand. He will overpower them and wear them down (Daniel 7:21-25). In addition, it will be given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation will be given to him (Revelation 13:5-7 and Daniel 9:27).

Other scriptures reveal exactly how the power of the saints will be shattered. God’s people will be delivered to tribulation and will be killed and hated by all nations because of the name of Jesus (Matthew 24:9). The saints will be severely persecuted. John saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God (Revelation 20:4-6). Daniel saw that the antichrist will destroy the mighty and the holy people (Daniel 8:24).

We have already established in the first point listed above that the rapture comes after the sixth seal is broken. Persecution and mass murder of God’s people is released after the fifth seal is broken (Revelation 6:9-11). If believers are still on earth when the sixth seal is broken then we must also still be here when the fifth seal is broken. In addition, Jesus said, “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name” (Matthew 24:9).

These scriptures cannot be fulfilled if the church is already gone to heaven before these things happen:

The great tribulation period cannot be completed unless the saints are here on earth so the antichrist can shatter their power (Daniel 12:6-7). The antichrist cannot finish shattering the power of the saints if they are already in heaven.

The antichrist cannot make war with the holy ones and overcome them if they are already in heaven (Revelation 13:7, Daniel 7:21-25).

The saints cannot be given into his hands for three and a half years if they are already in heaven (Daniel 7:25).

The saints cannot be delivered to tribulation and killed if they are already in heaven (Matthew 24:9).

The saints cannot be beheaded if they are already in heaven (Revelation 20:4-6).

The antichrist cannot destroy the saints if they are already in heaven. (Daniel 8:24).

The saints are an important part of the events that occur during tribulation period. The church must be on earth for these things to be fulfilled. Therefore these things must come before the rapture.

6. The Apostasy Must Come First

Webster’s dictionary defines the apostasy as the renunciation of religious faith, or the abandonment of a previous loyalty. The Bible warns us a time is coming when great numbers of believers will abandon their faith. It also tells us the apostasy will happen before the rapture (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3), which makes perfect sense because how could there be a great falling away from the faith if all of the believers have already been taken to heaven. Believers will not be renouncing their faith or abandoning their loyalty to the Lord after they are in heaven.

Some have been taught it is impossible for believers to fall away from their faith, but the scriptures tell us it is going to happen in large numbers before the end of this age.

Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first… (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3)

The Greek word ‘episunagoge’ in verse 1 is translated as “gathering together.” This is the same Greek word that is used in all of the New Testament scriptures referring to the rapture. So we can be sure this passage is referring to the rapture.

Those who are left behind, still on the earth after the rapture, will not be falling away from the faith because the reason they were left behind is because they were already faithless. Surely many of them will repent after they see they were left behind. But those who repent will be getting saved in a very hostile environment. They will be aware that their decision will likely cost them their life. They are not the ones who will be falling away. Just the opposite, they are the ones who will be repenting and getting right with God. Besides that, the above scripture already established the fact that the apostasy comes before the rapture.

Jesus also warned us about the apostasy when He said:

Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time MANY WILL FALL AWAY and will betray one another and hate one another. (Matthew 24:9-10)

Notice that Jesus says the apostasy comes after believers are delivered to tribulation. The severe trials of seeing other believers killed and hated by all nations will put great pressure on believers. Many will crack under that pressure and will abandon their faith. Daniel described this process as a time when the Antichrist will “wear out the saints of the Most High” because they will be given into his hand for three and a half years (Daniel 7:25).

Imagine how devastating it will be for people who have been taught they will not have to endure these things because of a pre-tribulation rapture. That false doctrine will likely be responsible for many people abandoning their faith. Now is the time to study the scriptures so that we are not deceived when these things begin to happen.

7. The Man of Lawlessness Must Be Revealed

The revealing of the man of lawlessness, the antichrist, must come before the rapture because the Bible says, “our gathering together to Him… will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed” (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3). The next verse tells us how man of lawlessness will be revealed. It will be when “he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.”

The sequence of events given by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 is confirmed by Jesus in Matthew 24. He tells us about the man of lawlessness taking his stand in the holy place in verse 15 then comes the cataclysmic events released by the sixth seal in verse 29, then the sign of the Son of Man appears in the sky, then he sends forth his angels with a great trumpet and they gather together his people from one end of the sky to the other in verse 31. The abomination of desolation is the event that reveals the man of lawlessness as the antichrist. So in both accounts, Jesus and Paul tell us the man of lawlessness must be revealed before the rapture.

Jesus stated it very plainly when he said, “Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place…” (Matthew 24:15). He was speaking about end-time events, not applicable to the people standing there listening to him at that moment. So when he said “when you see” he revealed the generation of believers who is living at the time of the end will see the man of lawlessness enter the holy place, which is the abomination that brings desolation. The only way we would be able to see this event is if we are still on earth when it happens. Therefore the rapture must happen after this event.

Further evidence that the man of lawlessness must be revealed before the rapture is found in understanding the significance of the Abomination of Desolation in end-time events. The following summary of the days of the antichrist shows why this event is a pivotal turning point.

The antichrist will succeed in rising to power. Initially he is given a crown after the first seal is broken (Revelation 6:1-2). Being equipped with a bow and a white horse, which are both symbols of conquest, he goes forth conquering and to conquer. This crown is not the position of ruling the whole world. We understand that because there would be no one left to conquer if he already ruled the world from the start. After receiving his crown he must go forth conquering to grab more power for himself. He must achieve a series of conquests along the way to becoming ruler of the world.

We are not told exactly how long it will take for him to accomplish his rise to ruler of the world, but surely it will take some time because it is an enormous task, which no man has ever been able to achieve. However, after he completes his rise to power, he will only be allowed to keep his grip on the world for a time, and times, and half a time, which is three and a half years. During all of that time including his rise to power and his three and a half year reign his true identity will be concealed. Many people will listen to him, support him, vote for him, and follow him completely unaware that he is the antichrist. He will hide that fact from them because he understands that no one would follow him if they knew who he was. His power and position will be founded on a lie and he will add many more lies on top of that. Daniel saw that he would cast truth to the ground (Daniel 8:12).

Daniel saw that the antichrist will think very highly of himself. He will become great in his own mind (Daniel 8:25). He will be full of himself, narcissistic, adoring himself, and seeking adoration from others. Giving him honor and praise will be the key to being promoted in his kingdom. He will give great honor to those who acknowledge him and will cause them to rule over many (Daniel 11:39).

So we see the sick character of this man. He will never be satisfied with the level of praises he receives, but will always be hungry for more. He will even magnify himself to be equal to the Lord (Daniel 8:11). He will utter great boasts from his mouth (Daniel 7:8). The whole world worships him (Revelation 13:8), but still that will not satisfy him. He will want more. He will come against every other god, even turning against the god of his fathers (Daniel 11:37-38), in order to exalt himself above them all. He will seek to be the sole recipient of all of the world’s worship. Anyone who refuses to worship his image will be killed (Revelation 13:15).

Eventually, after ruling for 42 months, his appetite for worship will drive him to the point where he can no longer resist the temptation to take off his mask, to abandon all sense of protocol, to allow the beast within him to totally take over. That is when he violates his own seven-year covenant with the people of Israel when he orders them to stop all sacrifices and offerings in the new temple in Jerusalem. He then enters the temple and takes his seat in the holy place, displaying himself as being God (2 Thessalonians 2:4).

This guy just doesn’t know when to stop. He was already guilty of a long list of crimes, including the murder of large numbers of Christians (Revelation 6:9-11). But when he takes his seat in the temple he commits an abomination that is so offensive to God that it releases worldwide desolation, including his own destruction. From that point on, the party is over for him and for all who followed him.

The prophet Daniel saw these things:

And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.” (Daniel 9:27 NASB)

In the middle of the week refers to a week of seven years rather than seven days. He he will break his covenant after only three and a half years. When he enters the temple and takes his seat, this is the abomination that brings desolation. At the same time someone else also takes His seat. The Lord, the righteous judge, takes His seat in the courts of heaven and makes a ruling to take action against him. Thrones were set up and the Ancient of Days took His seat. The court sat and the books were opened (Daniel 7:9-10). When the seventh seal of the book is broken and the book is opened then the wrath of God will begin to be poured out (Revelation 8). Then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will (Matthew 24:15).

When he takes his seat in the temple the abomination that causes desolation will be revealed. God will expose his identity for all to see he is nothing but a fraud. The man who presented himself as the solution to the world’s problems will be exposed as the source of the problems. Then all the world will know they have followed the antichrist, but for most of them it will be too late because they will already have received his mark on their hand and anyone who has his mark is doomed to spend eternity with him in the lake of fire (Revelation 14:9-11).

This event marks a significant turning point. Jesus warned His followers that the events coming after that would be far more severe than anything that happens prior to that. Jesus gave the following warning:

“Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get the things out that are in his house. Whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! But pray that your flight will not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath. For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. (Matthew 24:15-21)

Why would Jesus warn his followers about events that would happen after the three and a half year reign of the antichrist? If His people were no longer on earth during those times there would be no need for a warning. Yet Jesus gave specific instructions about where to flee, in the mountains. He instructed His followers to act with a great sense of urgency. Whoever is in the field is warned not to even take time to go back to get his cloak. Whoever is pregnant or nursing babies during that time will have extreme trouble. At that time the world’s birth pangs will end and a new season of even greater trouble will begin. The tribulation period will end, but the great tribulation will begin.

We have already established that the events that come after the abomination of desolation as listed by Jesus (see Matthew 24:29-31) are the same events released by the breaking of the sixth seal (Revelation 6:12-17). The abomination of desolation is the trigger event that leads to the breaking of the sixth seal. Since we have already established that God’s people are still on the earth when the sixth seal is broken and it is not broken until after the man of lawlessness is revealed, then it follows that the man of lawlessness must be revealed before the rapture.

So now we have established the following points:

The apostasy must come before the rapture (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3).

The man of lawlessness must be revealed before the rapture (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3). This happens when he takes his seat in the temple in Jerusalem (2 Thessalonians 2:4).

Both Daniel and Jesus referred to this event as the Abomination of Desolation (Matthew 24:15).

Jesus told us we would see the Abomination of Desolation so we must still be here when it happens (Matthew 24:15).

The Abomination of Desolation occurs at the midpoint of the tribulation (Daniel 9:27).

The “great tribulation,” begins after the man of sin is revealed (Matthew 24:21).

Jesus instructed believers what to do after the Abomination of Desolation (Matthew 24:15-21).

A great multitude of believers comes out of the “great tribulation” by the rapture (Revelation 7:14-17).

Therefore the Man of Lawlessness, the antichrist, must be revealed before the rapture.

8. The Gospel Must Be Preached In the Whole World

Jesus said, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). This prophetic word must be fulfilled before the end of this age because Jesus said so. For that to happen, the church must still be on the earth because they are the ones who will proclaim the good news to the world. Therefore, we can conclude the church cannot be raptured and taken to heaven until the gospel is preached to the whole world. The rapture cannot come at any moment, as some claim, because this prophecy must be fulfilled first. This is another insight into the timing of the rapture.

9. The Church Must Be Without Spot or Wrinkle

Whereas the temple building was the housing for the presence of God in the earth during the days of the Old Testament, our physical bodies became the temple of the Holy Spirit after the Messiah washed us clean with His own blood and sent the Holy Spirit to fill our temple. Rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem parallels rebuilding the spiritual temple of the body of believers in the Messiah.

The Apostle Paul instructed the Ephesians that love holds the body of believers together.

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Paul continued his teaching to the believers in Ephesus by explaining what Jesus Christ accomplished for the church when He gave Himself up for her.

Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. (Ephesians 5:25-27)

Although believers have already been sanctified and cleansed because of what Jesus Christ did for them, Paul uses this fact to exhort husbands to love their wives, wives to respect their husbands, and children to obey their parents. Paul tells them to live holy and blameless because Jesus Christ desires to “present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle.”

This provides an insight into what the Lord desires to do at the end of this age when He presents the church to Himself. He is not coming back for a church that is busted, disgusted, defeated, and depleted. He is coming back for a victorious church of over-comers who show forth the glory of God to the world. So the church has a responsibility to become what He wants them to be before the end of this age. There is much evidence to suggest the church has not yet measured up to this high standard. However, this must happen before the end of the age. For this to happen, the church must still be on the earth because they will not be able to reveal the glory of God after they have gone to heaven. Therefore, this must come before the rapture of the church.

The saints of God today are in two locations with some already in heaven and others still on the earth. The Lord desires the saints on earth to be holy and blameless like the saints in heaven. The two groups must become more alike. Along these lines, the Lord said to Kat Kerr, “When we are so in love with the way the body of Christ is loving and living and talking and acting like we do and we cannot bear to be without them then we will come and get them.”

10. Believers Must Do Greater Works than Jesus Did

Jesus prophesied that believers will do greater works than He did (John 14:12). There have been many amazing testimonies from believers ministering with signs and wonders such as healings, miracles, and raising the dead. However, Jesus did all of those things too. For believers to do greater works will surely be astounding even for unbelievers. However, it must happen because Jesus said so. This prophecy cannot be fulfilled unless believers are still on the earth. They cannot do them from heaven. Therefore, this must be fulfilled before the rapture of the church.

Recap of 10 Things that Come Before the Rapture:

Recapping the above points, here are the ten events that must come before the rapture. There are surely many other events that could be added to this list, but this is a blog post, not a book!

The first six seals must be broken. (Revelation 6)

The third temple must be rebuilt. (2 Thessalonians 2:4)

The beast kingdom must be formed. (Daniel 7:23-27, Revelation 13:1-10)

The antichrist must make a seven-year covenant with the many. (Daniel 9:27).

The power of the saints must be shattered. (Daniel 12:6-7)

The apostasy must come. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3)

The man of lawlessness must be revealed. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4)

The gospel must be preached to the whole world. (Matthew 24:14)

The church must be without spot or wrinkle, holy and blameless. (Ephesians 5:25-27)

Believers must do greater works than Jesus did. (John 14:12)

Therefore anyone who teaches the rapture could happen at any moment is teaching contrary to the scriptures. The rapture cannot happen until these ten things happen first.

James Bailey is a blogger, business owner, husband and father of two grown children. In 1982, he surrendered his life to the Lord Jesus Christ. In 2012, he founded Z3news.com to broadcast the message of salvation by reporting end time news before it happens.

Hey James! I want to start off by saying i really enjoyed your article. It makes so much sense to me, and has given me a better visual of how these events will soon play out. I am 16 years old, and ive been really following up on the current world events lately. I was wondering what your thoughts were on how long you are expecting, until the tribulation period actually begins. In case it isnt obvious, the third temple has already been rebuilt. There was a super-blood moon last month. Pope Francis is getting involved in politics, and is fulfilling the characteristics of the false prophet, as we speak. The U.N. Is establishing their “sustainable development” goals, talking about “unity” and “peace”, which sounds to me like the beginning of the NWO. Earthquakes are increasing on a major scale. There is the CERN portal. There are rumors of war in the middle east like ive never seen before. Russia (AKA Magog) is gaining more influence than ever, uniting the the middle east just like the prophecy predicts. America has basically turned its back on Israel, meaning that America will be cursed; Genesis 12:3. (I have a strong feeling that America is going to be judged by God. I feel like the reason America isnt mentioned in the bible is because God will bring destruction to us because of our immoralities.) But lets not forget this new joint-nuclear deal with Iran. I mean come on, that isnt just happening by coinsidence. Something is definitely going down right now. If that doesnt scream “end times” then i dont know what does. Most of all, Israel has been the center of attention in the news lately, starting just last month. Israel has never had a spotlight like they do right now. Right… Read more »

You are correct we are in the last days and the church is in a deep sleep. A great shaking will be required to wake them up. However, you are not the only one seeing these things. There are lots of people all over the world aware and watching closely. I believe we are now in the birth pangs that Jesus described in Matthew 24, which correspond with the breaking of the first four seals in Revelation 6. The first seal was fulfilled in 2008 and the fulfillment of the second seal is coming soon. I recommend this article: http://z3news.com/w/proof-horsemen-birth-pangs-tribulation/

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October 19, 2015 1:39 AM

Member

cortney

Where are we now? In 2016-nearly 2017, actually. It seems that bad things are happening far quicker now.

I would recommend Finis Jennings Dake’s book, Revelation Expounded, who may be the wisest man who ever lived. His Dake Annotated Reference Bible can’t be beat.

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February 12, 2017 2:26 PM

Member

SAC

Yes, Bob. Indeed Dake was a very wise man, and I love his annotated reference Bible. But I believe he was very wrong on one major point – he believed in a pre-trib rapture.

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April 22, 2018 4:30 PM

Member

Ashlee meyer

I have lots of questions im 13 years old and cant really understand whats going to be happening so i would appreciate it if u can answer some questions i have about it. One of them is do u know the date that the false christ will be here??

I don’t believe it’s Obama in any way. The bible clearly states that the one who brings peace to Israel and Palestine will be the Anti-christ. I’m more interested in this Jared Kushner guy. He has grown up with The prime minister of Israel. Benjamin Netanyahu. So if anyone if closer to creating this peace treaty and the start of the tribulation, it’s going to be him. He already has the ear of Israel, he just needs to work it out with Palentines, eventually star the building of the third temple.

Where are we now? I don’t think bo will ever sit in the temple, if so 7 years would make it 2019. Most did not like or love him and they haven’t even started on the new temple. Could it be 7 years from this year??

Not sure where you got those dates, but not from this site. Obama is still relatively young, in his fifties, so there’s plenty of time for him to move into a role where he fulfills Bible prophecies like the one you mentioned.

Jewish ancestry is based on the mother. One of the little known facts about Obama, among countless others, is his mother was Jewish, from the tribe of Dan, which is the tribe the antichrist comes from, based on many scriptures. This fact has been verified by the New England Historic Geneological Society founded in 1845 (http://library.nehgs.org). They are the oldest geneology society in the United States.

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July 1, 2018 6:31 PM

Member

Joestar

Why would a Jew have to sign and later break a peace treaty with Israel? Why not a “Greek” or an Arab?

I would counsel you to maintain a teachable spirit, brother, and not jump to conclusions.

There are still several puzzle pieces that have to fit in, and no one has all the answers.

For your own sake, brother, please always maintain a teachable spirit, and refrain from trashing revelation others have received, as it can shut down any further revelation God may desire to give you. And never presume to know how everything will work out.

We are up against the father of lies, and the last thing we want to do is try to reason out his schemes on our own when the smartest person in the universe longs to reveal his schemes directly to us.

Hi Alec, I just had to say, it brings JOY to my heart to see a 16-year-old so AWAKE, as well as well-read. It’s nice to see this and I pray the LORD will open up opportunities for you to share what He lays on your heart. I truly believe in midst of ALL of this unfolding mess, the younger AWAKE generations will partner with the older AWAKE generations to do some amazing things for the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessings to you my little bro. You made my day 🙂

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October 19, 2015 8:02 AM

Member

Jolie

Amen Linda! God bless you Alec, richly! May the Lord use you to have a great impact on people your age. May He use you to open more people’s eyes. Lord Jesus, thank You for Alec! Bless him, protect him, and fill him to overflowing with Your Spirit. Help him to press in and draw near to You like never before. I pray that You will always be his passion, and that he will stand strong – regardless of the resistance around him. Please guard him with your angels and keep him covered by the precious Blood of Jesus Christ. Please use to him to save many souls by his words and example. Amen and amen!! God bless you brother!

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October 19, 2015 12:24 PM

Member

EDMOND ABEDI

the church must repent and turn away from any form of the world that detest the LORD like sexual immorality,ornaments/jewels,bitterness,minskirts,tight trousers by women,boyfriends..according to Galatians 5. for it is the time to repent and turn away from jokes of the world that please people..

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October 25, 2016 4:37 AM

Member

Firestorm44 (Zach Pray)

Guess im not the only young dude on this site…. im 15! 😀

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September 7, 2016 12:43 PM

Member

Kaylee dismore

No your not … im 14 😊

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December 24, 2017 5:53 AM

Member

Phil - Sydney

Great news Alec, Zach and kaylee,
We love to know you are on this site. So many Christians in my age group 55 yo , think prophetic knowledge is only in the pages of the Old Testament , so you guys are miles ahead of many.
God bless
Phil
Yes Linda – this is a joyous Occassion. God

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April 4, 2018 11:23 PM

Member

rivaldo frederick

well great i’m 14 and like to see that i have support from persons around my age

Alec you made some really good points. Maybe the artical was written a loooooong time ago because I believe some info is not current. I must admit I agree with #1 and then he lost me. I don’t believe the person on the first white horse is the anti-Christ. Because he will not conquer all. But if you apply it to Catholicism that conquered the world back in the day. And each of the horsemen to world systems then that speeds us up to seal #5 right now with saints at the alter of God asking when he is going to avenge them. Next thing is to open seal #6 and the great earthquake. With that said the rapture is very close. Be ready and watch.

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January 12, 2017 10:50 AM

Member

Rosemary

The rider of the 1st white horse is The antichrist, notic the bow in his hand & what follows. God bless

you are not alone alec.i am impressed with your knowledge of prophesy.the one problem i have with the article is that these are all signs of our lord and saviors second coming and not signs leading to the rapture.there are no signs leading to the rapture except that it happens before all of these things occur.that’s how near the rapture is.God bless you brother,and keep studying so that you can tell others.that is the meaning [reason] of life

It amazes me how people so easily dismiss all the scriptures documented in this post then make a rebuttal without one single scripture backing their view, but that has been true for almost every reply defending the pre-trib rapture myth. This is another example of what the Lord Jesus told the Pharisees, “You make the word of God of no effect because of your traditions.”

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March 13, 2017 6:04 AM

Member

Bride of the lamb

Hi Alec stay awake my child.. for just ur awareness on what’s going on is gonna bring you further to the light.. stay prayed up and keep reading your scriptures and you will get all the answers you need..

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September 16, 2017 4:39 PM

Member

Angelo D. Concepcion

Praise the Lord Jesus Christ.

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January 31, 2018 10:25 AM

Member

Angelo D. Concepcion

Praise the Lord Jesus Christ

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January 31, 2018 10:28 AM

Member

Christine

Alec, I love hearing your earnest thoughts on this subject, and wow only 16! It seems to me that we are very close to the one world order. I was raise as a Pentecostal, but went from church to church seeking the truth. The last church was a non denominational church, that at the end of service they would give a call for anyone who would like to repent to just to raise you hand and repeat a silent prayer after the preacher. The preacher would say, with every head bowed and no one looking around, if anyone would like to come forward, just raise your hand and repeat this prayer after me. If they wanted to be baptized their whole family, friends and church could witness their baptism. It seemed that one could be shamed for repenting, yet celebrate their baptism. It didn’t make sense to me. But I started seeing that the preacher and leaders would do one sentence sermons. And it seemed to be out of context. I remember telling my husband after leaving a service, that I felt something was missing. And I believe I found out what that was. In 2017 I felt the whole truth of YAHS’ words were not being taught, either through ignorance or out right deception. I have come to learn that If I truly love YAH, I willing obey HIS COMMANDMENTS as stated in John 14:15-20. And in doing so HE promised that HE would send me the SPIRIT OF TRUTH. Which I have come to learn is what many call the HOLY SPIRIT. And HIS SPIRIT would dwell within me. HIS KINGDOM is inside of each of HIS children. Thereby the Learn The TRUTH and is then set free. So, I now keep the 7th day sabbath from sunset… Read more »

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May 4, 2020 10:24 AM

Member

Peter

Not true! The rapture can happen at any moment because, until the Restrainer (the Holy Spirit, the Grace age or both?) is taken away, as in 2 Thess 2:6,7, creating chaos and destruction, nothing from your list will take place.

The Bible identifies many specific things that must happen before the rapture, so until those things happen the rapture cannot happen. The idea that it can happen at any moment contradicts all of the scriptures documented in this post. I documented ten things that must happen first, but there are others besides these.

Also, the restrainer is not the Holy Spirit. He will be here because He lives in His people and they will be here too. The restrainer is the archangel Michael (Daniel 12:1).

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September 5, 2016 12:16 AM

Member

Lloyd

you are exactly right sir.i have stated this point many many times and yet people CHOOSE to ignore scripture such as matthew 24 and 1thessalonians and revelations especially the seven seals.seems to me if people are packed and looking up for Christ they won’t know the anti-Christ will be here deceiving many into the mark of the beast because they will not believe he will arrive first.it is a simple study of Gods word that opens eyes.why don’t everyone see it?

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September 16, 2016 11:14 PM

Member

Meeep90

Is Donald trump the anti-christ? I’m being serious here, not a trump joke. even if he is not the anti-christ, I feel like he’s part of the prophecy. He says he loves war, and in the tribulation , there is bloodshed and war. It seems to add up.

Peter, it is the Spirit-filled Church that will be taken out of the way and allow the full manifestation of the Mystery of Iniquity. It is the Spirit-filled Church that wrestles not with flesh and blood but against principalities and powers, rulers of darkness of this age and spiritual wickedness in the heavenlies and is restraining the appearance of the A/C. The Holy Spirit never leaves earth because many will be saved during the tribulation. “The grace age” is only a label for this current dispensation.

All I can do is present the scriptures. This article includes boatloads of them, so I have done my part and moving on.

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October 3, 2016 11:41 PM

Member

Evelyn

rapture of believers and the 2nd coming of Christ are 2 totally different events. We should not get confused with this. Rapture will happen like a thief in the night when we are not expecting … The 2nd coming of Christ is preluded with loads of events vividly described in the bible – both old and new testament.
Just as I have recently learned that repenting means change of mind, from believing one thing that is true to realising that it is the other that is true. So I repented and started to believe in the other truth, which is also supported with many bible verses.http://christinprophecy.org/articles/why-i-believe-in-a-pre-tribulation-rapture/

I marvel at how the pre-trib comments posted here hardly ever reference one single scripture, just like your comment. I documented lots of scriptures in this post. It comes down to believing the scriptures versus the teachings of men, which are often just false doctrines of demons. If we can’t find it in the scriptures then we should throw it out. If you have scriptures then we have something to discuss. Otherwise, it is only opinions.

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March 27, 2017 10:49 AM

Member

Martin

Indeed the “teachings of men ” are mainly DOCTRINES OF DEMONS. Jesus spoke of the Synagogue of Satan.Rev.2: 9-10 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a SYNAGOGUE of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to SUFFER. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
Matthew 13:21
But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or PERSECUTION comes because of the word, they quickly FALL AWAY. Many “Christians” will fall away who have been taught LIES (in “church”).

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December 8, 2017 6:44 AM

Member

Chris

Right on

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March 16, 2018 6:32 PM

Member

Dave

Jesus says that when we become Christians, he remembers our sins no more. (Hebrews 10:17). If that is the case why would He allow us to go through some of the Great Tribulation. After Revelation chapter 4 the church is never mentioned again in Revelation. What happened did God get mad at the church and not talk to them again, NO! They are in heaven, raptured, long before the Great Tribulation period.
The Christians saints you are talking about are those who accepted Jesus Christ as their savior during the Great Tribulation period. I thank God that he will not allow me to go through the 7 seals,The four horseman, or any other part of God’s wrath. I will be in heaven with the church. If you want to be there, well, OK.

Your claim that there is no mention of the church on earth after Revelation 4 is contradicted by the appearance of believers in chapters 6, 7, 9, 12, 13, and 14. In chapter 6, large numbers of believers are described as martyrs who have been murdered for their faith. “When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered for the word of God and for the testimony they had given; they cried out with a loud voice, “Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long will it be before you judge and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?” They were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number would be complete both of their fellow servants and of their brothers and sisters, who were soon to be killed as they themselves had been killed.” (Revelation 6:9-11) In Revelation 7:1-8, the 144,000 bond servants are sealed with the seal of God on their foreheads. Yes, they are Jewish, but they are believers devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ, even called His bond servants. They are still on earth in Revelation 7 and are mentioned again in Revelation 9:4. In Revelation 7:9-17, a great multitude too large to count is seen standing before the throne of God. We are told they came out of the great tribulation, which occurs after the tribulation. It is impossible to come out of something without first being in it, so they are the raptured church who endured the entire 42-month tribulation plus the first part of the great tribulation, just as Jesus said in Matthew 24:29-31. In Revelation 9:4, locusts were told not to hurt the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree,… Read more »

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December 8, 2016 7:39 AM

Member

Dave

Sir: These martyr were not Christians during the church age so were not a part of the rapture. These are tribulation saints who did take the mark of the beast and were killed for it. The woman sir is the house of Judah, the Jewish nation.Read Gen. 37:0-10. The Dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed. (the Jewish nation Sir:) You give no credit to the tribulation saints, not the church, and that sir is VERY wrong.

As I stated, there are no scriptures to support the theory that these people were not saved until after the rapture. It is a man-made doctrine not found in the Bible.

Regarding Joseph’s dream, he is not the woman in Revelation 12. In his dream, his father and mother were represented by the sun and the moon. By contrast, the woman in Revelation 12 is clothed with the sun and had the moon under her feet. Although both visions mention the sun and moon, the context is very different. Was the woman clothed with Jacob and had Jacob’s wife Rachel under her feet? This idea makes no sense because they are not the same.

I believe the woman in Revelation 12 is the church and the man child she gives birth to is the redeemed saints. We will rule all the nations with a rod of iron together with the Lord Jesus, just as He said here:

26 He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations;
27 and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also have received authority from My Father;
28 and I will give him the morning star. (Revelation 2:26-28)

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December 8, 2016 11:57 AM

Member

Dave

Boy- to think that I have been a Christian all these years believing that Jesus Christ loved me so much that he remembers my sins no more to find out that I must suffers as a christian through one of the greatest Trials this world has ever known or will ever know again.
If that is the case then the Bible is a lie and I have no hope, wasting my time.
As I have said before, God will NOT allow any part of His church to go through any part of God’s wrath upon this earth.
End of discussion for me.

And yet the apostles endured much pain for their faith (Acts 5:41; 9:16). While defending his apostolic ministry, Paul gives a detailed description of his suffering in 2 Corinthians 11:24–28.

The churches that the apostles planted through suffering live out the same pattern (Acts 14:22; Romans 5:3; Galatians 2:4). All kinds of saints ever since have suffered shame, mockery, and even death for their faith — the Stephens and Polycarps, the Cyprians, Husses, Tyndales, and Elliots. Their precise number is only known to God (cf. Revelation 6:9–11).

The Church was born in persecution and suffering – The Bride of Christ is not promised unicorns and rainbows but fellowship with Christ and His will to conform us into His image.

God prepares those He chooses to be martyrs. Moses spoke to God face to face and Paul was taken to heaven and was used by God in many dramatic miracles including his conversion. There will not be one billion martyrs or 500 million. Why would God do this only to the last generation before the wedding?

I don’t know where you came up with those numbers because I’ve not heard those from anyone else. We know there will be many martyrs based on what Jesus said in Matthew 24:9, “they will deliver you to tribulation and will kill you.” We see the same thing in Revelation 6:9-11.

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March 27, 2017 2:02 PM

Member

Guy

So James, will the church be here on the earth till the end of the great tribulation? In your post, I see saints still here on the earth at the end or when we get our glorified bodies. Will we stay here on earth to do more for Christ? I’m not sure here, just asking.

John saw “a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands.” (Revelation 7:9)

Then the elder explained to him, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation.” (Revelation 7:13) The elder described the trouble they had endured on the earth, but yet he did not call them martyrs and did not say any of them had been killed for their faith. I believe this reveals the remnant who will be taken out of the earth during the great tribulation. Surely there will be others who remain in the earth as we see believers being killed for their faith in Revelation 14:13, but a great multitude will come out of the great tribulation and they will stand before the throne of God.

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January 31, 2018 12:01 PM

Member

Michele

Dave, you are correct. The woman represents the Jewish People; the male child is Jesus. The Jews who are not saved will not be taken up in the rapture, they will be left behind in the great tribulation. The beast will fight Israel and anyone remaining who then becomes a Christian and does not take his mark of the beast.
Thank you for writing because YOU are correct. This article is wrong. The Tribulation saints will be those who become saved during that horrible 7 year period

This post supported each point with lots of scriptures. Yet, pre-trib proponents have repeatedly contested it without even one scripture to back that up, just as you have done here. The scriptures must be our guide. Otherwise, all we have are useless opinions.

This post was not about the woman in Revelation 12, but since you brought it up, the woman is not the Jewish people and the male child is not Jesus. The woman is the church and the male child is the righteous remnant who rule rule and reign with the Lord Jesus for one thousand years.

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February 15, 2017 1:12 AM

Member

Evelyn

here are the scriptures to support that rapture happens before tribulation :

If you have specific scriptures you want to discuss, please post them. I am not going to take my time to do research visiting another website for you because I already did my homework when I wrote this very lengthy article. I posted many scriptures supporting my statements. Please let me know specifically which ones you disagree with.

Perfectly correct. Woman IS THE CHURCH and not Israel as some false teachers trying to spread this out.
We are now in chapter 12 of StJohn Revelation. Listen to some1 who had NDE twice and met the Lord twice.

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April 24, 2017 2:59 AM

Member

Michele

Thank you Eliza. I am a newer Christian but growing in my faith everyday

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April 24, 2017 2:11 PM

Member

MajMatt

The church is not mentioned being in Heaven in those scriptures. Be consistent in your argument.

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August 31, 2017 3:41 PM

Member

Chris

We have been in chaos since millenniums ago with empires rising and declining, and the scriptures do not support the Holy Spirit being removed. The restrainer could be the anti-Christ, or the anti-Christ’s a appearance may have been possibly restrained by it just not being the right time for him.

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March 16, 2018 6:29 PM

Member

Morgan

Hi james, i am 16 years old female and this article has really opened my eyes and i want to know if its to late to repent?

Oh Morgan! How wonderful that you have heard the voice of Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, as He calls your name. I will pray for you that the Holy Spirit fills you with the joy of accepting Him as your Savior! He loves you so, so, so much, and all of Heaven will rejoice as you join us as a sister in Christ. Don’t worry about ANYTHING — our Father ALWAYS takes care of the details! Stay close to your Bible and test everything you hear against the Word. Blessings, Dear One!

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September 5, 2016 6:00 AM

Member

Bernie Chavez

Im very blessed to read this, thank you very much to the author, you have opened my eyes as well as the others… thank you, im very much glad to have brothers, i promise to be a better believer in our lord and savior… i have been busy with worldly things, my eyes were turned back from the church, i have ignored alot, i havent read the bible, im confessing this to all of you..i wanna be a new man, i know im just a 15 year old but i know jesus i believe that he is my lord and savior… i just wanna ask a favor guys, please pray for me and my family… Thanks again..

I am glad you found this helpful Erin. Years ago, my son read them when he was about your age. They are great books as long as you understand they are just fictional stories.

You probably noticed my article has a different view of the timing of the rapture than the Left Behind Series. I included lots of scriptures to support my points so I hope everyone can see the difference. God bless you sweetie!!

Most Bible prophecy students believe ten nations will soon form a confederation that will promote the A/C and help bring him to power. These nations will arise out of the geography of the old Roman Empire of Christ’s time. Many believe a False Prophet will lead a false, bastard religion that will combine the common elements of the Muslim, Jewish and Christian faiths. A new Jewish temple will be soon built in Jerusalem where the A/C will demand to be worshiped after bringing peace to the ME.

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January 17, 2016 1:53 PM

Member

Wiley Phipps

Hi Robert… I was also taught that the ten nations will arise out of the geography of the old Roman Empire of Christ’s time. I still think this is possible considering the possible breakup and restructure of the EU. The rising and shifting role of Turkey also reinforces the geography of the old Roman Empire.

Another view is that: The Ten Political and Economic Kingdoms of the New World Government (UN) may represent the 10 horns of Rev 17:12…
Kingdom 1: Canada and the United States of America
Kingdom 2: European Union – Western Europe
Kingdom 3: Japan
Kingdom 4: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Israel and Pacific Islands
Kingdom 5: Eastern Europe
Kingdom 6: Latin America – Mexico, Central and South America
Kingdom 7: North Africa and the Middle East (Moslems)
Kingdom 8: Central Africa
Kingdom 9: South and Southeast Asia
Kingdom 10: Central Asia

I am thinking that this may also be possible because of the global nature of things. Rev 17:12 seems to indicate that the 10 heads may be new kingdoms created by the beast. I mean who would have thought 30 years ago that the US could be the root of Mystery Babylon? I am just trying to follow all possibilities. The bible is amazing so… It could be that it plays out in both situations… the macro and the micro. We are certainly living in interesting times.

Revelation 17:12, “And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.”

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January 17, 2016 3:48 PM

Member

Michael M.

Wiley, I have spent a fair amount of time studying this subject, I believe you are absolutely correct. I, like Robert, used to associate with similar teachings. Now, I believe the these earlier assumptions are most likely in error. Here is a hypothesis for thought that I believe is completely supportable (scripture and what you see in the real time are aligned): 10 Horns, are 10 global economic kingdoms, that are given power for a short time. They are also the 10 toes of Daniel Chapter 7. The 10 kingdoms represent economic unions that will be given legal authority and “teeth”. Please research global trade agreements and unions. One can find information on Wikipedia without looking too hard. Also, research the Club of Rome 10 economic regions. This will get one headed in the correct direction. After some time is spent researching. A person can see that there is a pattern. Here it is: Trade agreements are introduced into regions, and are used to establish the framework for an economic union. Once an economic union is established, it is then given legal authority (just research how the EU was formed and you will see the template for this process). It is a sly process instilled over time, but is how the world is being subdivided into 10 regions. The kings of these 10 global regions will be appointed at a future date and will give authority to the beast, the little horn, the son of perdition, BHO. And why not, Obama has signed many agreements obligating the US to the Trans Pacific Partnership (East) and the Trans Atlantic Trade Partnership (West, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transatlantic_Trade_and_Investment_Partnership) Remember, how the TPP was done is secret, and protected from scrutiny and public exposure? Notice that congress did not put up any real resistance other than a… Read more »

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January 18, 2016 1:47 AM

Member

True believer

Greetings author:

I found your article as one of the first of many in a google search. I think it is very interesting and I believe God will reward you for watching for his return. As one believer to another, i do not believe in “spirited” debate and since this is your blog, I will not argue. If one has the anointing of Christ and the discernment of the bible, it is easy to see the truth among all the brainwashing of the media and false teachers. Christians are suffering in this country and I believe that abortion is killing many human beings and that there are murderous acts going on right before us. As I said, i do not debate, however I do not see true believers here on earth much longer.

Prayers

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November 16, 2015 9:22 AM

Member

Dan

[Thanks, James. Great blog. Saw this tidbit on the web & would like to share it.]

Franklin Graham’s warning of coming persecution of Christians echoes what his mother Ruth and father Billy have clearly stated.
In a Google article titled “Letter from Mrs. Billy Graham,” Ruth stated that “I would rather prepare myself to go through the tribulation and be happily surprised by an unexpected rapture, than expect to be raptured only to find myself going through tribulation.”
Her husband, Billy, had this to say: “Perhaps the Holy Spirit is getting His Church ready for a trial and tribulation such as the world has never known.” He stated this on p. 72 in Sam Shoemaker’s book “Under New Management,” and the same quote is also found in a Google piece entitled “Famous Rapture Watchers – Addendum.”
To see the rest of Franklin’s message which can no longer be ignored or censored (!), Google “Franklin Graham’s Warning” which can be found on Joe Ortiz’s “End Times Passover” blog.﻿

I have not been given any dates, but I have noticed the fulfillment of many things God reveals has taken longer that we initially thought. I wrote this post to document things that must happen before the Lord returns. Many of these things are major events that will take years to unfold. We also have prophetic insights revealing a sequence of events starting with weakening of the global economy followed by war. There’s a great harvest of souls during those times of trouble. Then comes the powerful delusion, the rise of the beast system and the 42 month reign of the man of sin. So there’s a lot still to come.

On a personal note, when I was 38 years old, the Lord told me I was at the midpoint of my life. That would make me 76 years old when I leave this planet, assuming His word was meant to be taken literally. I am now 59, so that gives me another 17 years. I was also shown previously I would go as a martyr, so I will not be here when the Lord returns. So maybe we have at least 17 years plus whatever happens afterwards.

We are only given so many days here and then we leave, so we must make the most of each day and each opportunity to do what God puts in our heart to do.

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April 14, 2018 2:55 PM

Member

JC125

I was just wondering because I hear how the world is supposed to end on the 23rd of this month and everything so I like to hear the beliefs of an educated man.

That kind of nonsense never seems to end. When nothing happens, they simply push the date back six months or a year and start all over again with no repentance and no remorse. I’m glad you’re not listening to them.

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April 14, 2018 10:25 PM

Member

JC125

I’ve been diagnosed with general anxiety. So I really dwell on things. Would you say there is a 0% chance of the world ending next Monday or on June 24th

Yes, 0% chance. Also, please don’t listen to anyone claiming you have general anxiety. The whole world is suffering from anxiety and stress, but those things don’t belong to us because God has better plans for His people. When we cast our cares, fears, doubts, stress, anxieties on Him, He takes them far from us and replaces them with His glorious peace, joy, satisfaction, and love. That’s who we are and that’s where we’re meant to live forever.

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April 15, 2018 5:27 PM

Member

Stirred-not-Shaken

Agree. 0%. Casting our cares on the Lord is sometimes a very real, conscious decision, and a battle. There is great peace in the Lord, but we have to do our part to enter into the peace that He has already given us. A good thing to do is to meditate and confess what Jesus said belongs to you…..peace….SNS

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April 15, 2018 6:41 PM

Member

Sarah

Anxiety can be a stronghold. It can be a big fight to appropriate one’s soundness of mind, and once you have it, you have to be ruthless over any “small” thought or emotion. Handball it off to the Lord and stand on the Word of God. Throw on the praise and thank Him for the victory. Cast your thoughts elsewhere and dwell on things that are good, pure, lovely, praiseworthy. See, the problem sometimes is that you can gain a big victory and feel *so much* better, and then this can lead you into becoming lazy and ignoring “the little foxes” (so to speak). What happens, though, is that letting it sit in your heart – even as a small thought/mild feeling- and ignoring it almost guarantees that it festers and grows again without you even realising it. I think of it like conquering the Promised Land. This thing might periodically try to get to you again and you just have to give it to Jesus and resist it. One problem that can be encountered is that part of you may want to hold onto the anxiety, as it (falsely) promises security via hypervigilance. This part needs to be repented of and yielded over to Christ. If a part of you *wants* the anxiety, it won’t go away. There are horrible spiritual consequences – in that if God has given a Spirit of love, power, and a sound mind but you continue to have a spirit of fear, it can lead to such things as legalistic attempts to gain God’s favour. Galatians isn’t just about judaisers. It can be quite sneaky. I’m not saying that’s you. I just know from experience, because the unintended consequence of anxiety is that you can start to forget that God loves *you*. And sometimes… Read more »

I don’t like being praised for things like this. If anything I say is good for you, thank God, because by myself I am a huge mess. I just thought there was something useful to offer, since I’ve dealt with it and know “what works”. Bad days are ahead. If we don’t learn to cling to our Saviour now, it’s going to be exceptionally difficult in the future – which is not an easy thing to say to someone suffering with anxiety because the anxiety will freak out over that saying that it’s hopeless, impossible, death, doom and destruction. That’s the anxiety claiming victory and insulting the Lord God Most High – who is capable of keeping us, preserving us, whose arm is *not* too short to save, our Deliverer and Friend. When this happens, you have to willfully assertively throw back the Word of God, His promises in Psalm 91, how He is faithful and true. Sometimes, I think the pressure is about causing us to give up. Never ever do that.

And then remember that the enemy is the accuser. Sometimes, it will pull out full stops. If one thing appears to work, it switches to something else. The fight can take a while or it might not, but in the meantime the anxiety is very uncomfortable. It is not easy.

It takes grit and determination and sometimes – often – it takes simply a lot of prayer (in faith – not doubt or anxiety).

I could say a lot more about this, but I’m not a teacher. I just wanted to be helpful.

I was able to verify I was 39 years old at the time. I found it in my 1998 journal. I think I know where you’re going with your question and the math doesn’t add up. I was born again at age 23, so it was 16 years later when God said I was at the mid-point of my life, which would mean my life ended 4 years ago. So, he must have meant my whole life, not just my Christian life.

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April 22, 2018 3:28 PM

Member

Daniel

Also the Bible does not teach that the world ‘ends’. Paganism teaches that the world will end, as in cease to exist, in a giant final cataclysmic battle between ‘good’ and ‘evil’. This is a world without end that will be restored after the Great Tribulation (Time of Jacob’s Trouble, Daniel’s 70th Week, Final 42 Months, etc). Christ will return at some future date with untold number of Saints and put a stop to the great dragon (satan), his beasts (false prophet and anti-Christ), their demonic and human followers at Meggido (or Armageddon in Greek). Revelation 19. After the dragon, the beasts and those with their mark are thrown into the Lake of Fire there will be the Millennial Reign of Christ on earth with we as believers serving as kings and priests to the rebounding mortal population left on the planet. After that thousand years the dragon will be let loose and gather to him I can only assume those people on earth who’s hearts are so hardened and wicked that they will reject the paradise Christ had created and join the failed rebellion. Then God, through some method, will purge the earth with fire and judge all sinners, demons and fallen angels once and for all. Revelation 20. But Revelation 21 tells us that God will create (or maybe re-create depending on your interpretation I guess) the new perfected Earth which will serve as the home of the heavenly New Jerusalem for eternity. You must remember as a believer you will NEVER not exist. It’s possible any of us may pass away through the fullness of time, illness, injury or even martyrdom but will will IMMEDIATELY be at the side of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:8. ‘Death’ is an illusion as we shed our earthly ‘tent’ 2 Corinthians 5:4,… Read more »

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April 15, 2018 7:10 PM

Member

JC135

Would you personally say about 10 years daniel? That’s about what I’m thinking.

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April 16, 2018 8:32 AM

Member

Daniel

We will start seeing massive food price increases, if not outright shortages not just in the third world but here in North America, Europe, Asia and what few areas of South America aren’t in free-fall collapse yet.

While things have been moving fast, the ‘air brakes’ like on a train have been on because we have food. Sure its garbage that gives us cancer, causes sterility and flavored with dead babies but its available, if not cheap. The solar minimum appears to be beginning and the growing regions will start moving southward. I listened to a geophysicist on Infowars a few years ago and he said the climate will move 300 so so miles south. So take a look at the weather 300 miles north of you and it will be close to what you’ll get.

People can put up with a lot if they have food and entertainment but take away the food…You will be surprised at how soon people start worshiping demons and eating people. Once people are hungry they will be ready to accept world governance, the beast and its system.

So no I don’t think 10 years. Maybe 1-9 years depending on how fast the climate changes and we can adapt food production. Of course then there is the whole Rapture thing and when you think that is. Taking above it would be whatever time frame plus 42 months, give or take a few days. ‘Unless the days be shortened’ and all that.

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April 16, 2018 11:17 AM

Member

JC135

If adjust I think 10 years could be left because of all the things that haven’t even happened. The Antichrist hasn’t even risen yet. Just my opinion.

Currently doing a study on Ken Johnson’s work. He studies the early church fathers. Sermons that are preserved from the early church fathers, some of whom had direct contact with John the Revelator, teach that the rapture will happen before the tribulation. Some early church fathers claim in these writings that this doctrine was obtained directly from John, as John the Apostle sat with them and taught them what the Revelation of Jesus Christ meant. Just food for thought. Not here to argue. No one knows the day or the hour. Just want to put out the information.

Christian BlockonUnited States on the brink of martial law.Palindrome marker showed up. I think we are just now seeing the beginning of the lawlessness that will force martial law into effect. "57 police quit unit in support of officers fired for shoving 75-y…

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Christian BlockonUnited States on the brink of martial law.Palindrome marker showed up. I think we are just now seeing the beginning of the lawlessness that will force martial law into effect. "57 police quit unit in support of officers fired for shoving 75-y…

Mark FonPodcast: Prophetic insights into four marketsJames what does your dream say is next ? We just saw the fulfillment up to 3200. Is it a move to 2100 area? Then up again? Or down? Do you think riots will possibly have something to do with this?